Ukraine president-elect pledges to end crisis

Ukraine's military launched airstrikes on Monday against separatists who had taken over the airport in the eastern capital of Donetsk. Heavy shelling was heard from the airport and dense black smoke rose in the air. (May 26)
AP

A Pro-Russia militiaman takes his position during fighting around the airport outside Donetsk, Ukraine, on May 26.(Photo: Vadim Ghirda, AP)

DONETSK, Ukraine – Ukraine's new president-elect pledged Monday to bring a quick end to the pro-Russia insurgency that is pulling his country apart even as government forces fought a key battle with rebels.

"The anti-terrorist operation cannot and should not last two or three months," Petro Poroshenko said a day after voters elected him in a landslide. "It should and will last hours."

As he spoke, government planes and troops clashed with pro-Russia militants at the Donetsk International Airport in a test of the military's effectiveness.

Military jets screamed overhead and helicopters swooped over the airport in eastern Ukraine. There were bursts of gunfire in the thick grass and trees along the highway leading to the airport.

A plume of black smoke could be seen rising from the airport buildings. Rebels fought back, firing on the helicopters as they neared insurgent positions.

Donetsk, a city of almost 1 million, has been under the control of the militants who seized the central government building in April.

Despite the violence, the election of Poroshenko, a billionaire candy magnate, has raised hopes that he can resolve a crisis that has dragged on for months after a protest movement forced pro-Moscow president Viktor Yanukovych from office.

Since then, Russia has annexed Ukraine's southern Crimea Peninsula, and the United States has accused Moscow of fostering separatist movements in eastern Ukraine.

Poroshenko said he would be open to talks with Moscow to resolve the crisis.

President Obama praised Ukrainians for participating in the voting "despite provocations and violence." He said the U.S. supports Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and is eager to work with the next president.

Poroshenko will try to balance strengthening ties with Europe while reaching out to Moscow, said Alisa Moldavanova, a political science professor at Wayne State University who has researched Ukrainian security issues.

"He has shown a willingness to talk to East and West," she said. "I don't see things getting resolved immediately, but I see it de-escalating."

Moldavanova said Poroshenko will probably try to reach a compromise that would provide some autonomy to ethnic Russians in the east and satisfy moderates at the same time he tries to isolate extremists.

"He will be tough on separatists and terrorists," she said.

Poroshenko said the armed separatists want to turn Ukraine into a lawless country like Somalia.

Restoring order won't be easy. Ukraine's military has stumbled in the past as it has tried to confront pro-Russian militants, many of whom are well-armed and have received support from Moscow, according to the U.S. government.

Lately, the government has tried to rally its forces and crack down on insurgents. The airport is an important test case, and any success there would provide confidence to government forces and strike a blow to militants.

The rebels stormed the airport early Monday morning, forcing out airport security and the Ukrainian military there. All flights were canceled. By the middle of the afternoon, fighting seemed to have tapered off.

People here said they were tired of the violence.

Edgard, a man in his 40s on the way to the gym in central Donetsk, said he was indifferent to the elections and was fed up with the situation. He declined to provide his full name for fear of retribution.

"People here just want peace — 99% of the people living here don't want a war," he said.

He said he was especially angry that his daughter had to see masked and armed men on the streets.

An Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) representative watches the Ukrainian artillery withdrawal near Vasiukovka, Ukraine, in the Donetsk area on Feb. 27, 2015. Ukraine is withdrawing heavy weapons from its front line in the east in order to test whether a peace plan with Russian-backed separatists can work. Anastasia Vlasova, European Pressphoto Agency

A woman in traditional costume lays flowers at the temporary memorial for Maidan activists who were killed during anti-government protest one year ago in Kiev, Ukraine. Sergey Dolzhenko, European Pressphoto Agency

A boy climbs on a Russia-made trophy artillery rocket system, seized by the Ukrainian troops, at an open-air exhibition in front of the golden-domed St Michael Cathedral, in Kiev, Ukraine. Efrem Lukatsky, AP

A handout photo taken and released by the Presidential press-service shows Ukrainian President Petro Posroshenko greets a wounded serviceman during his visit to military hospital in Zaporizhzhya, Ukraine, on Feb. 21. Michail Palinchak, AFP/Getty Images

The statue of Goddess Bereginya is illuminated by lights placed where 100 activists were killed during the 2014 anti-government protests on Feb. 20 at Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine. Sergey Dolzhenko, European Pressphoto Agency

A pro-Russian rebel walks through a destroyed position of Ukrainian forces near the eastern Ukrainian city of Debaltseve on Feb. 20, 2015. Germany and France demanded that a crumbling Ukraine truce be "fully respected" even as pro-Russian rebels celebrated a battlefield victory in a strategic town and exchanged artillery fire elsewhere with government troops. PHOTO / ANDREY BORODULINANDREY BORODULIN/AFP/Getty Images ORIG FILE ID: 538081747 Andrey Borodulin, AFP/Getty Images

Residents line up waiting for a delivery of aid as a Russia-backed rebel guards a pile of weapons and ammunition on Feb. 20outside an administration building in Debaltseve, Ukraine.After weeks of relentless fighting, the embattled Ukrainian rail hub of Debaltseve fell on Feb. 18 to Russia-backed separatists. Vadim Ghirda, AP

A young girl leans on a cart used to carry tree branches for fire, outside a damaged apartment building in Debaltseve, Ukraine. After weeks of relentless fighting, the embattled Ukrainian rail hub of Debaltseve fell Wednesday to Russia-backed separatists. Vadim Ghirda, AP

A woman visits the temporary memorial for Maidan activists on Feb 20 in Kiev, Ukraine. The activists were killed during anti-government protests one year ago near the city's Independence Square. Sergey Dolzhenko, European Pressphoto Agency

A Russia-backed rebel looks at the flag-covered body of an Ukrainian serviceman in Debaltseve, Ukraine. After weeks of relentless fighting, the embattled Ukrainian rail hub of Debaltseve fell on Feb. 18 to Russia-backed separatists. Vadim Ghirda, AP

A man holding a Ukrainian flag stands vigil at Maidan Square in Kiev. Ukraine is commemorating the first anniversary of the Feb. 20, 2014, sniper attacks that killed dozens of protesters in the Maidan and were followed thereafter by the ouster of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich. Sean Gallup, Getty Images

Russia-backed rebels pose by a road sign on Feb. 20, 2015, at the entrance in Debaltseve, Ukraine, after checking the access road into town for mines they suspected were laid down by retreating Ukrainian government troops. After weeks of relentless fighting, the embattled Ukrainian rail hub fell to Russia-backed separatists. Vadim Ghirda, AP

Ukrainian government soldiers who withdrew from Debaltseve prepare to return to support a further pullout of troops on Feb.19 in Artemivsk, Ukraine. Ukrainian forces began withdrawing from the strategic town on Feb. 18 after they were surrounded by pro-Russia rebels. Brendan Hoffman, Getty Images

Pro-Russia rebels fire a volley of Grad missiles at Ukrainian government troops on Feb. 18 near Debaltseve. Ukrainian troops pulled out of Debaltseve after it was stormed by pro-Russia rebels. Andrey Borodulin, AFP/Getty Images

A man tries to remove pieces of broken glass from a window in a school damaged by a Grad missile on Jan. 25 in Vostochniy, eastern Ukraine. Thirty people were killed when rockets slammed into a market, schools, homes and shops. Evgeniy Maloletka, AP

Ukrainian servicemen ride an APC in the front-line village of Orlovka near Donetsk. Pro-Russian rebels vowed to conquer more territory in eastern Ukraine and ruled out peace talks after Kiev retreated from a long-disputed airport. Oleksandr Stashevskiy, AFP/Getty Images

A local man puts out the fire at his burning house after shelling in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014. Strong explosions were heard early Sunday on the outskirts of the main rebel-held city in eastern Ukraine near the airport, raising new fears that a cease-fire signed two days ago is on the verge of collapse. Blasts powerful enough to be heard in downtown Donetsk came from the area near the airport, which has been under the control of government troops since May and has come under unremitting attacks from pro-Russia separatist rebels since then. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits) ORG XMIT: XSG105 Sergei Grits AP

Personnel from the Kiev-1 police force battalion check crates of Russian-made 9M113 Konkurs portable wire-guided anti-tank missile launchers in the basement of a building in Slaviansk. Sergei Kozlov, European Pressphoto Agency

Residents of Mariupol, Ukraine, dig trenches and build fortifications with sandbags. They are assisting Ukrainian troops in organizing their defense on the outskirts of the city. Alexander Khudoteply, AFP/Getty Images

Detained Ukrainian border guards sit in a garage at the Novoazovsk border crossing point in eastern Ukraine. In Novoazovsk, pro-Russia rebel fighters looked to be in firm control after heavy shelling a day before. Sergei Grits, AP

A photograph released by DigitalGlobe via NATO on Aug. 28 allegedly shows Russian military units moving in a convoy with self-propelled artillery in the area of Krasnodon, Ukraine. DigitalGlobe/NATO, via AFP/Getty Images

A photograph provided by DigitalGlobe via NATO allegedly shows six Russian 153mm 2S19 self-propelled guns located in Russia near Kuybyshevo. This site is situated 4 miles south of the Ukraine border near the village of Chervonyi Zhovten. The guns are pointing towards Ukrainian territory. DigitalGlobe/NATO via AFP/Getty Images

People cheer as they greet the first Russian truck carrying relief supplies as it passes the border post on Aug. 22 in Izvaryne, eastern Ukraine. The first trucks in a Russian aid convoy crossed into eastern Ukraine without approval from the government in Kiev after more than a week's delay. Sergei Grits, AP

A man digs through debris as he attempts to salvage belongings from his damaged home as government troops and pro-Russia rebels battle in Khartsyzk, Ukraine. Sergei Ilnitsky, European Pressphoto Agency

A member of the Azov Battalion gets a farewell hug in Kiev during a ceremony sending soldiers to eastern Ukraine. The battalion is a volunteer unit of the Ukrainian National Guard. Tatyana Zenkovich, European Pressphoto Agency

A convoy of Russian trucks carrying humanitarian aid for residents in rebel-held eastern Ukraine arrives in Kamensk-Shakhtinsky on Aug. 14 in the Rostov region of Russia. Yuri Kochetkov, European Pressphoto Agency

Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a briefing session with permanent members of the Security Council of Russia at the Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Sevastopol. Alesksey Nikolskyi, AFP/Getty Images

An armed separatist stands near a damaged bus of the Ukrainian Right Sector which was attacked in Donetsk, Ukraine. At least 12 people died when the bus came under fire by pro-Russian separatists, according to media reports. Sergei Ilnitsky, European Pressphoto Agency

Ukrainian refugees from eastern Ukraine live in a temporary refugee camp in Svatovo, Ukraine. A convoy of Russian aid trucks were reported to be heading to the region which remains in turmoil. Sergei Kozlov, European Pressphoto Agency

Pictures of people who were killed during the winter protests remain attached to a bridge, as municipal workers clean up a barricade on Independence square in Kiev, Ukraine. Sergey Dolzhenko, European Pressphoto Agency

A protester prepares a Molotov cocktail during clashes Aug. 7 with Ukrainian authorities. The government is trying to clean the area around Independence Square in Kiev. Sergey Dolzhenko, European Pressphoto Agency

An activist smokes a cigarette in Kiev, Ukraine, after clashes with authorities in Independence Square on Aug. 7. Demonstrators confronted city workers attempting to clear the square. Efrem Lukatsky, AP

A Ukrainian serviceman checks cars driving away from the Donetsk region near Maryinka, Ukraine, on Aug. 5. Residents are leaving the region, as government forces push their offensive to the outskirts of the city. Andrey Krasnoschekov, AFP/Getty Images

Ukrainian soldiers control a checkpoint near Nikishino, some 20 kms from the crash site of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17. A group of international experts managed to reach the plane, believed to have been shot down on July 17 by pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine. Roman Pilipey, European Pressphoto Agency

Ukrainian army soldiers move to position in Slovyansk. Pro-Russia insurgents attacked a border guard camp in eastern Ukraine, promising safety for the officers if they surrendered the base. Efrem Lukatsky, AP

A man looks at a wrecked truck belonging to pro-Russia separatists on road leading to the Donetsk International Airport on May 27 in Donetsk, Ukraine. Ukrainian government forces recaptured the airport after a battle with pro-Russia militants. Maxim Shipenkov, European Pressphoto Agency

The bodies of pro-Russia militants are piled in a morgue in Donetsk. Thirty pro-Russia separatists were killed when Ukrainian government forces stormed the Donetsk International Airport, which was seized by the separatists on May 26. Photomig via European Pressphoto Agency

Relatives grieve at the graveside during a May 24 funeral fro Aleksandr Politov, a pro-Russia militia fighter who was killed when his group attacked a Ukrainian military checkpoint two days earlier in the village of Blahodatne in Horlivka. Brendan Hoffman, Getty Images

Mizan Mazasheva cries outside her damaged home following an explosion during fighting between pro-Russia militants and the Ukrainian army on May 23 in Semyonovka village. Maxim Shipenkov, European Pressphoto Agency

Members of the pro-Russia Vostok Battalion assemble after a morning battle with pro-Ukraine fighters in Pisky. Eight people, including one civilian, were killed when the Donbass Battalion, a pro-Ukraine militia, attacked a Vostok Battalion checkpoint in Karlivka. Brendan Hoffman, Getty Images

A pro-Russia gunman arranges the body of his friend in a truck at a checkpoint outside Donetsk. Five people were killed in fighting between pro-Russian militiamen and Ukrainian forces. Dimitar Dilkoff, AFP/Getty Images

Bodies covered with blankets lie in a field near Blahodatne village in eastern Ukraine. Eleven Ukrainian soldiers were killed and 30 others were wounded when pro-Russia militants attacked a military checkpoint. Ivan Sekretarev, AP

A Ukrainian soldier looks at a destroyed truck after a battle with pro-Russia militants near Blahodatne. Three Ukrainian armored infantry vehicles and several trucks were destroyed during the battle. Ivan Sekretarev, AP

Members of the Donbass Battalion, a pro-Ukraine militia, arrive May 21 for a meeting with the mayor to ensure stability before the upcoming presidential election in Novodonetske. Brendan Hoffman, Getty Images

People examine a burned-out Ukrainian army armored personnel carrier on May 14 in Oktyabrskoe village near Kramatorsk. Seven Ukrainian army soldiers were killed during a May 13 battle with pro-Russia rebels. Vasily Maximov, AFP/Getty Images

Roman Lyagin, right, chairman of the Central Election Commission of the People's Republic of Donetsk, holds a news conference to present the results of the independence referendum in Donetsk. Genya Savilov, AFP/Getty Images

Members of an election committee count ballots at a polling station in Donetsk on May 11. Voters in two eastern Ukrainian regions voted on whether to declare their areas sovereign republics, a move denounced by Ukraine's central government. Evgeniy Maloletka, AP

The girlfriend of Andrei Brazhevskiy, a pro-Russia activist, kisses him before his casket is closed in Odessa. Brazhevskiy died after jumping out of the burning trade union building on May 2. Vadim Ghirda, AP

Pro-Russia militants watch television in city hall on May 6 in Kramatorsk, eastern Ukraine. Thirty-four people were killed when pro-Russia militiants battled Ukrainian troops near Slavyansk. Genya Savilov, AFP/Getty Images

A nurse holds a rifle as she helps a wounded pro-Russia gunman get out of a car in front of local hospital on May 5 in Slovyansk, eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian troops fought a pro-Russia militia in an escalation of efforts to bring the region back under government control. Darko Vojinovic, AP

Men carry the casket of Vyacheslav Markin, a deputy of the Odessa Regional Council, during his funeral in Odessa. Markin, a pro-Russia supporter, died with 31 other people during a May 2 fire at the Trade Union building. Alexey Furman, epa

Captured pro-Russia militants are arrested on suspicion of using rockets to shoot down a Ukrainian military helicopter on May, 2 at a checkpoint near Slovyansk. Pro-Russia insurgents used shoulder-launched rockets to bring down the two Ukrainian Mi-24 helicopters, killing one pilot. AFP/Getty Images

A Pro-Russia gunman runs behind a makeshift barricade in Slovyansk. Ukrainian forces have launched a major assault against pro-Russia militants who have seized government buildings. Alexander Zemlianichenko, AP

Pro-Russia activists celebrate after storming the prosecutor's office on May 1 in Donetsk, Ukraine. The mob hurled rocks and gasoline bombs at 100 riot police defending the building, who later surrendered and left. Alexander Khudoteply, AFP/Getty Images

Ukraine police officers argue with a pro-Russia activist. The activists are seizing government buildings as they seek greater autonomy from Ukraine or independence and possible annexation by Russia. Manu Brabo, AP

A pro-Russia activist waves a makeshift republic flag over a crowd celebrating the capture of an administration building on April 29 in Luhansk, Ukraine. Pro-Russia insurgents have seized control of police stations and other government buildings in 10 cities and towns. Alexander Zemlianichenko, AP

The weapon of a pro-Russia person is decorated with the flag of the self-proclaimed People's Republic of Donetsk as he guards the separatist-controlled security service regional building in Slavyansk, Ukraine. Pro-Russia activists have seized several government buildings as they press their demands to break away from Ukraine and join Russia. Kirill Kudryavtsev, AFP/Getty Images

DONETSK, UKRAINE - APRIL 27: Pro-Russian separatists cut down a Ukrainian that was flying in front of an office building during a protest march on April 27, 2014 in Donetsk, Ukraine. A group of about 500 separatists left a rally and marched to the TRK Donbass television station. There, they met little resistance as they broke through the front gate and the front door of the facility to take control of the building. Several bands of activists, similar to those in Donetsk, have been occupying government buildings in other eastern Ukraine cities in recent weeks. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 486702721 ORIG FILE ID: 487069673 Scott Olson Getty Images

Ukrainian police examine the scene where Kharkiv Mayor Gennady Kernes was shot and wounded in Kharkiv. The pro-Russia mayor is in critical condition after he was shot while riding his bicycle. Sophiya Bobok, AFP/Getty Images

People stand at a barricade in front of the occupied regional administration building in Slaviansk, Ukraine. The barricade features photos of people who have died during the conflict. Igor Kovalenko, epa

A group of journalists look at burning tires at a checkpoint following an attack by Ukrainian troops outside Slovyansk, Ukraine, on April 24. Ukrainian government troops moved against pro-Russia forces in the east of the country on Thursday and killed at least two of them in clashes at checkpoints manned by the insurgents, the government and insurgents said. Mika Velikovskiy, AP

Pro-Ukrainian supporters are silhoutted against a Ukrainian flag during a rally in the southern city of Mariupol on April 23. Ukraine announced that it was resuming operations against pro-Russia forces that have seized police stations and government buildings in the east. Evgeniy Maloletka, AP

The body of Ukrainian councilman Volodymyr Rybak lies in the coffin prior to his funeral. His body was found on Tuesday after his alleged abduction by pro-Russian insurgents in Horlivka on April 24. Sergei Grits, AP

A pro-Ukrainian supporter, foreground, stands with a Ukrainian flag opposite pro-Russia supporters in Donetsk, Ukraine, on April 22. Vice President Joe Biden called on Moscow to encourage pro-Russia separatists in eastern Ukraine to vacate government buildings and checkpoints, accept amnesty and "address their grievances politically." Sergei Grits, AP

Biden and Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk give a news conference in Kiev on April 22. Biden arrived in Kiev on April 21 for a two-day visit, promising economic and political support to Ukraine, and warned during a visit that the country needs to fight corruption. Sergey Dolzhenko, epa

Pro-Russia protesters attend a rally on April 21 in Kharkiv, Ukraine. The activists, who have occupied several government buildings, are demanding broader autonomy from Kiev and closer ties to Russia. Anastasia Vlasova, epa

A gunman guards an area during a press conference by Vacheslav Ponomarev, leader of the pro-Russia separatists, on April 20 at city hall in Slovyansk, eastern Ukraine. Pro-Russia groups have refused to surrender their weapons or give up captured government buildings despite a diplomatic agreement between Russia and Ukraine. Efrem Lukatsky, AP

A local resident inspects destroyed vehicles after a night battle at the checkpoint controlled by pro-Russia separatists in Bulbasika near Slovyansk. Three militants and one attacker were killed during the gun battle. Efrem Lukatsky, AP

Former Ukrainian prime minister and presidential hopeful Yulia Tymoshenko shakes hands with a volunteer from the Artyomovsky battalion near Donetsk. Tymoshenko announced the creation of a volunteer force made up of retired servicemen and former peacekeepers to resist what she described as Russia's aggression. Olexander Prokopenko, AP

A person holds a Russian national flag as residents of Sevastopol and sailors from Russia's Black Sea fleet watch a televised call-in show with Russian President Vladimir Putin on April 17 in Sevastopol, Crimea. Putin acknowledged that the troops in unmarked uniforms who had overrun the Crimean peninsula before its annexation by Moscow were Russian soldiers. Andrew Lubimov, AP

A man holds an Ukrainian flag at Independence Square in Kiev. Russian and Ukrainian officials are meeting to discuss the escalating crisis in the former Soviet republic. Kirill Kudryavtsev, AFP/Getty Images

People and Russian sailors watch a live television broadcast in Sevastopol of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putinsaid Russian special forces troops are not fomenting unrest in eastern Ukraine. Anton Pedko, epa

Former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden appears on the television screens in a press center as he questions Russian President Vladimir Putin during the leader's live call-in show in Moscow. Yuri Kochetkov, epa

Armed men display a Russian flag as they ride on armored personnel carriers in Kramatorsk. Russian President Vladimir Putin said the Ukraine is on the verge of civil war after the Kiev government sent troops against pro-Russia separatists who seized government facilities last week. Anatoliy Stepanov, AFP/Getty Images

A pro-Russia gunman clears the way for a combat vehicle transporting armed men in Slovyansk. Pro-Russia activists continue to occupy Ukrainian government, police and administrative building in defiance of an ultimatum to lay down their weapons. Efrem Lukatsky, AP